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freetobee
Joined: 17 Jul 2006
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 6:56 pm Post subject: Checking out schools - Sendai Language School in particular |
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I am wondering if anyone has tips on how to check out a school before accepting a job. Is anyone familiar with Sendai Language School?
I want to know genereal working conditions and anything that might help prove to my family (and myself) that I will be safe. |
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mtheta
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 76
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| Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Hey freetobe! I am going to be moving to Sendai in a month. I havn't heard anything about the school you mentioned. Have you been offered a position? You can usually get a sense of the school from the contract if you have one.
Have you taught English overseas before? |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 4672
Location: Western Japan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:47 am Post subject: Re: Checking out schools - Sendai Language School in particu |
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| freetobee wrote: |
I am wondering if anyone has tips on how to check out a school before accepting a job. Is anyone familiar with Sendai Language School?
I want to know genereal working conditions and anything that might help prove to my family (and myself) that I will be safe. |
Sendai Language School
http://bweb.pep.ne.jp/career/eng/sls/index.html
I can only assume you are still overseas while you are writing this. There are no surefire guarantees that you are not buying into a lemon, unless you go through one of the bigger chain schools which are fairly well known and predictable.
By and large language schools here have to abide by labor laws and these are reflected in the contract re work hours, salary and work conditions. An employer can not just fly you over here and do what he likes with you. You do have rights as an employee but you dont want to put yourself in a position where through lack of funds or job alternatives you are forced to suck up whatever any employer throws at you, however illegal or unpleasant it may be.
Is the employee arranging an interview or just wanting you to fly over. How will you start work if you are hired? What happens about your work visa? What are the hours and salary?
You need to ask some preliminary fact-finding questions, get feedback on the contract and then decide if its something you feel comfortable. Asking other teachers is not always helpful as their (subjective) opinions may be different to what you want to hear.
I have seen people so keen to come to Japan and find a job that they ignore or discount 'negative' feedback about schools or employers.
You will be 'safe' in sendai but you have to make sure you have a safety net if things go south on you. Make sure you have a valid visa and enough money to tide you over for several months. You can legally quit a job if you give notice so you dont have to worry about being stranded. Problems occur when you come on a tourist visa, very little money, no roof over your head and you dont know the labor laws or you rights as an employee. You are essentially at the mercy of an unscrupulous employer. These things are avoidable as long as you take precautions take your time and dont take the first job offered to you. Ask questions and dont be satisfied until you get some answers and dont worry if they try to take the job offer away for asking too many questions. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run.
PS is the school a 'dispatch' schools which sends teachers to work as ALTs in elementary schools? Many such schools are experiencing labor problems of late. |
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